2 years back we had the huge bushfires, & will no doubt get fires again this year as fire is part of the natural cycle in this wide brown land, tho the most recent fire last week was caused by deliberate action as police identified 7 ignition points.

I've just watched these videos Amateur captures nature's fury Toowoomba resident captures the extraordinary moment when the Chalk Lane Creek overflowed, carrying away cars. (Toowoomba is apparently built on a marsh between hills, not a good place to put a city. The ground is so saturated from the recent heavy rain that it won't take any more rain.) and Wall of water tears through Grantham

map of areas affected in state of Queensland and articles on the Queensland floods Brisbane, the state capital is expecting floods greater than the legendary 1974 floods.

More rain is forecast over large areas of Australia & many river systems are expected to flood (many river systems have already flooded)

Annual Australian Climate Statement 2010 Issued 5th Jan 2011. 2010 La Niña event brings Australia's third-wettest year on record.

    * La Niña brings heavy rain, eases drought and causes widespread flooding
    * Prolonged dry conditions continue in southwest Western Australia
    * Australia's coolest year since 2001
    * Australia's warmest 10 years on record

we also have floods in other Eastern states - floods in Victoria and New South Wales - NSW towns cut off as flooding worsens